Honoring Baliís Living Cultural Treasures

Bali Increasing Lifetime Achievement Awards to its Artists and Performers

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(2/25/2013)

The provincial government of Bali will present special awards to senior artists every August 14th, the date Bali celebrates its elevation in statis becoming a province of Indonesia in 1958.

The awards are reserved for artists and performers who have earned acclaim through the quality of their work and their long-term dedication to entertaining the public.

The provincial government of Bali, in cooperation with the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), is now in the process of reviewing and enhancing regulation regarding the enhanced rewards for Balinese artists.

Quoted by Kompas.com, Ketut Suastika, the head of Bali’s Culture Department, said, “The Artistic Award will be called the Dharma Kusuma.“

The prize will consist of a gold medal weighing 20 grams and a separate cash prize of Rp. 10 million (US$1,000) that will be given to 9 Balinese artists selected to receive the Dharma Kusuma Award hailing from the 9 regencies and municipalities of Bali.

A similar award has been presented each year since 1984, but the addition of 20 grams of gold forged into an award is a new innovation.

One of the artists slated to win the award this year is Dolar, a traditional Balinese stage performer who is currently hospitalized after suffering a stroke.